Managers should set healthy example

Dawn Renton

More than a quarter of Scottish workers have said they would be encouraged to lead a healthy lifestyle if their managers led by example according to recent research

Furthermore, 43 per cent of Scottish workers surveyed in the study by Willis PMI Group, part of Willis Towers Watson, said they would be more inclined to take part in company health and wellbeing schemes if their managers also participate.

The research also revealed that almost one in ten Scottish workers (8 per cent) claim their managers take more time off sick than ‘rank-and-file’ employees.

Mike Blake, director at Willis PMI Group. said: “Employee engagement with health and wellbeing initiatives calls for a company culture that embodies healthy lifestyle values with managers having an important role to play in inspiring and motivating staff.

“These findings clearly highlight the extent to which employees can be influenced by managers’ actions and behaviour.”